“MVP” in the National Football League? Bijan Robinson presents his case to “MNF”
Bijan Robinson is the best player in football.
That’s what Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris had to say about his star’s comeback Monday night following a 24-14 win over defending MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
While Morris may be somewhat biased toward his player, national television viewers may have a hard time arguing with him after what they saw Robinson accomplish on “Monday Night Football” this week.
The third-year player tied his career high with 170 receiving yards (the most by a Falcons player during a prime-time television game) on 19 carries. This included an incredible 81-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that was the longest of his career and also the longest in the NFL this season. It is also tied for the second-longest rushing touchdown in Falcons history.
Robinson now has three plays from scrimmage that are 50 yards or more this season after being longer than 30 yards last year.
“It’s just part of my game where I want to get better and keep getting better every day,” Robinson said after the game. “And you know, if I can get better at that and break those long runs, it just helps the team.”
Robinson also caught six passes from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for 68 yards for a total of 238 yards from scrimmage, the most ever for a Falcons running back.
“There are some people who are born to be certain athletes,” Falcons receiver Drake London said after the game. “Like you have some people who are born to be basketball players, like LeBron [James]. There are people who were born to be football players, and they seem to have the perfect body shape for it. now, [Robinson] He gets out there, and it’s like art. It’s amazing to see.
Speaking of James, the Lakers star also took note of Robinson’s performance.
“Bijan is so cold!!!!!!!!!!” James posted on X During the match.
A first-round draft pick in 2023 and a Pro Bowl selection last year, Robinson leads the league with 822 yards from scrimmage this season (484 rushing, 338 receiving), which isn’t even close.
The Falcons are one of only six teams to have bye weeks already, meaning Robinson has compiled his total in five games. The next 11 players on the list — starting with San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey at No. 2 with 780 yards — have all played in six games.
If he maintains this pace, Robinson will finish the season with 2,797 yards from scrimmage, which will break the current record of 2,509 yards set by Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson in 2009. Johnson’s record was set during a 16-game season; Robinson is on pace for 2,630 yards after his 16th game of a 17-game season.
So maybe Morris wasn’t so biased in his post-match comments about Robinson after all.
“He’s the best player in football,” Morris told reporters. “I’ve said it so many times, I can’t say it enough. You can always choose, you can always go out and see who you want to vote for, but in my opinion, he’s the best player in football.”